Tuesday, December 21, 2021

US Population Growth Dips to Record Low

Population growth in the United States dipped to its lowest rate on record this year, according to figures newly released by the Census Bureau. 

The COVID-19 pandemic plays a big part in the decline. 

US Correspondent Rachel Silverman has details. 


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BORIS JOHNSON: NO FRESH RESTRICTIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's confirmed there will be no fresh
covid-19 restrictions in England before Christmas.

He says there are still too many uncertainties about the impact of the
Omicron variant to justify stricter measures yet.

But as UK correspondent Olly Barratt reports - he's not ruling out
needing to take action after Christmas.

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UK-EU talks continue as new Brexit negotiator takes tough stance against bloc

The UK's newly appointed and seventh Brexit negotiator Liz Truss says her country will stand its ground against the European Union, as she threatens to rip up a key part of the trade deal that Britain signed with the EU just 12 months ago.

 

She spoke virtually with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič to solve an ongoing dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol, which the British government believes damages the integrity of the United Kingdom. 


From our Europe desk in Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.


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Boris Johnson: No new pandemic restrictions before Xmas

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed there will be no new pandemic restrictions in the UK before Christmas.


He again urged people to avail themselves of Covid-19 boosters.


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Biden to deploy 500 million test kits and 1000 military medics to tackle covid


US president Joe Biden is due to announce new measures to try to combat a potentially devastating Covid-19 surge, which include distributing 500 million free test kits and deploying 1000 military medics to struggling hospitals.

But despite Omicron now being the dominant strain in the United States, the White House has ruled out locking the country down.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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EU drug regulator says boosters offer protection against Omicron variant

The European Union's drug regulator said early data shows a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine helps restore some protection against the new Omicron variant.

The European Medicines Agency said it was preparing for the possibility that vaccines could be tweaked to fight the variant. 

Emer Cooke is head of the EMA. 

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Scotland to introduce new Covid-19 measures from December 26

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced new measures for the country beginning after Christmas Day.


The Omicron Covid-19 variant is now the dominant strain in Scotland, accounting for around 63% of positive cases.


Chris Jones has more in London


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UK UNVEILS HOSPITALITY SUPPORT

The UK's announced a £1bn ($1.3bn) support package for the hospitality
and leisure sectors as covid-19 concerns cause a slump in takings.

Business leaders have been complaining of uncertainty about the
Christmas period, given the spread of the Omicron variant.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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EU states ponder further Covid restrictions

Covid-19 is once again forcing countries in Europe to impose domestic and international travel restrictions, as the Omicron variant takes hold across the continent. 


Rapidly rising infection rates are leaving EU nations concerned about potentially overwhelmed health systems, prompting drastic action by governments to tackle the spread of the virus.


From our Europe desk in Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.


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Nigeria Enters Fourth Wave of COVID-19

Nigeria is currently experiencing a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The development comes less than five months after the country entered a third wave of the pandemic.

Correspondent Tesem Akende reports from Jos.

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UK GOVT ASSESSES NEED FOR NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS

The UK government says it's looking at the latest data before deciding
whether stricter measures are needed to slow the spread of the Omicron
covid variant.

On Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson's cabinet resisted calls from
scientists to toughen restrictions before Christmas.

But a so-called 'circuit breaker' lockdown is being considered for the
post-Christmas period.

Cabinet minister Steve Barclay says the evidence isn't there for an
immediate lockdown.

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GERMAN CHANCELLOR CONVENES EMERGENCY OMICRON SUMMIT

Senior politicians in Germany are meeting today to discuss whether further measures are needed in response to the rise in Omicron cases. 

Germany is the latest European country to consider restrictions in response to the new variant, after lawmakers in the Netherlands announced a hard lockdown which will last until at least mid January. 

From Berlin, Trent Murray reports

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Air pollution in North India worsens as the mercury drops

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As India grapples with a cold wave, air pollution is getting severe in many parts of the country.

The air quality in the capital fell on Tuesday – from the very poor category to 'severe'.

Still, local authorities are lifting restrictions that were imposed to improve pollution levels, as Ishan Garg reports.

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Monday, December 20, 2021

CDC: Omicron now dominant strain of Covid-19 in America

Omicron is now the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the US, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all cases according to the US government's  Centers for Disease Control.


It's a stunning turnaround that has taken place in less than a week.


Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.


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Dow Tumbles Amid Growing Omicron Fears

US markets fell on Monday as fear grew over the potential economic impact of the Omicron variant.

Economic growth for the US has also been revised down after President Biden's "Build Back Better" bill appeared to be scuppered in
Congress.

Sarah Walton reports from the New York Stock Exchange.


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Biden Admin Boosts Fuel-Economy Standards

The Biden administration is boosting fuel-economy standards to fight climate change. 

New rules reverse a Trump-era rollback that had loosened the standards. 

Rachel Silverman has the details. 


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Manchin disrupts Biden's $1.75 trillion agenda but top Democratic Senator still promises a vote

The Senate's top democrat has promised a vote on President Joe biden's 1.75 trillion dollar bill even though one of his own party colleagues has refused to back it.

West Virginia's Joe Manchin said he couldn't support Mr Biden's social care and climate change package because he was concerned about inflation, national debt and the pandemic.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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Moderna booster provides added protection from Omicron, as U.S. sees surge in cases

Vaccine manufacturer Moderna's booster data shows a third dose does provide added protection against the latest coronavirus variant Omicron.


There are already an average of more than 125,000 new COVID-19 cases every day in the U.S and health officials are warning of a further surge over the holidays.


Caroline Malone reports from Washington.


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38 Killed by Gunmen in Nigeria's Kaduna state

Gunmen have killed thirty people in Nigeria's north west state of Kaduna.

The casualty figure is from three villages attacked by gunmen in Giwa local government area of the state.

Tesem Akende reports.

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DRC VIOLENT PROTEST

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At least four people have been killed and several others injured in violent clashes between security forces and protestors in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Residents of the eastern city of Goma took to the streets to protest against an alleged plan to deploy Rwandan police forces in their city. Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa...

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